FoodTech Innovation Lab
1871’s FoodTech Innovation Lab connects growth and late-stage startups with corporate businesses, investors, and experts to solve the biggest challenges in the food sector for future industry transformation.
Current partners: Levy, EX3, and World Business Chicago.
Supported by
Our Innovation Labs Connects
Founders
Corporates
Investors
Innovation Ecosystem
Benefit From Year Round High Impact Experiences
Focus Areas in FoodTech for Lab 2025
Smart Farming & AgTech
Reusable & Smart Packaging Systems
Alternative Proteins & Future Food Sources
Agents & Orchestration
The design and management of AI-driven software that autonomously or semi-autonomously perform tasks and make decisions, often within complex workflows or multi-agent environments.
AI-powered systems that optimize and automate complex operational processes, from manufacturing to logistics
Coordinated networks of AI agents that work together to solve complex problems, each specializing in specific tasks while collaborating toward common goals
Self-running systems that can complete entire business processes with minimal human intervention, adapting to changing conditions and requirements
AI agents programmed to pursue specific business objectives, making decisions and taking actions to achieve desired outcomes
Trustworthy AI & Risk Management
Frameworks and technologies ensure AI systems are reliable, fair, and secure while maintaining transparency and accountability.
Comprehensive approaches to protect AI systems from threats while ensuring they operate safely within intended parameters
Tools and methodologies to identify and address biases in AI systems, promoting fair and equitable outcomes
Technologies that make AI decision-making transparent and interpretable, enabling trust and accountability
Methods and tools that enable AI capabilities while protecting sensitive data and maintaining privacy compliance
Enterprise AI Architecture
The design and implementation of robust, scalable frameworks that enable organizations to build, deploy, and manage AI solutions across various business units while ensuring that AI initiatives are well-aligned with business objectives and can be effectively scaled and maintained over time.
Systems and practices for managing the lifecycle of AI models, from development through deployment and monitoring
Technologies and methodologies for seamlessly incorporating AI capabilities into existing enterprise systems and workflows
Tools and frameworks for tracking and optimizing AI system performance, ensuring reliability and efficiency
Comprehensive security measures protecting AI systems and data while managing user access and permissions
2024 Lab Focus Areas
Innovative Ingredients
AgTech
Manufacturing & Packaging Innovation
Meet Our FoodTech Industry Champions
Industry Champions are dynamic leaders dedicated to fostering community within specific industries. They create and nurture grassroots communities of forward-thinking individuals, share valuable insights, and drive future trends. Acting as connectors and catalysts, Industry Champions play a key role in shaping Innovation Lab community events while expanding their networks and influence.
2024 Lab Focus Areas
Smart Manufacturing
Automation, digitization, flexibility, and scalability
Supply Chain Responsibility
Sustainability by design, circular supply chain, scope 3 transparency, and n-tier visibility
Global Resiliency
Decentralization, agility, reconfigurable networks, and solving for supply chain disruption
AI in Supply Chain
Smart decision making and augmented insights
Visibility and Planning
Control tower and digital twin
“It’s been an awesome experience, we’ve been able to…
Connect with corporate partners, investors, and other founders in this ecosystem to share ideas and collaborate.”
1871’s C1 Supply Chain Innovation Lab participant gives program review.
“It’s been an awesome experience, we’ve been able to…
1871’s C1 Supply Chain Innovation Lab participant gives program review.
FoodTech Innovation Lab 2024
Key details
4 months | Immersive | Hybrid
Runs: 8.12.24 - 11.08.24
What's included for participants
•Unique benefits per business stages
• Inclusion on 1871 press release
• Immersive programming by experts
• Community of peers
• Growth stage gets 3 months of 1871 membership after program + during
• Featured at Foodtech Innovation Summit
•Unique benefits per business stages
• Inclusion on 1871 press release
• Immersive programming by experts
• Community of peers
• Featured at 2024 FoodTech Innovation Summit
Who's in the Lab>>
Growth-stage startups
Late-stage Lab partners
Corporate Lab partners
Growth stage startups
Late stage lab partners
Corporate lab partners
Built with industry experts
Entrepreneur-In-Residence
Founder & Managing Partner @ Barrel Ventures
Nate has partnered with some of the brightest entrepreneurs building companies in this world, investing in companies such as Olipop, Jumbotail, Grabango, Helaina, Great Wrap & others. He founded L3 Hospitality Group and Wise Apple.
Barrel Ventures is an early stage fund investing in the future of food from pre-farm to post-fork and everything in-between.
How Members Get Involved
There are two steps for you to start engaging in the Innovation Lab Communities and Events:
Step 1: Self-Select & Join Innovation Lab Communities
On the member portal, you have the power to self-select exactly which industry communities you want to be a part of. Joining tech specific Lab Industry Groups you are interested in gets you access to those member-only events and indicates to our team that you are interested in other events and opportunities in that specific industry.
Step 2: Start Signing Up for Innovation Lab Events!
Take a look at all upcoming labs programming and start signing up to get engaged in the range of programing for each Industry.
Lab Portfolio for Growth Stage Members
The Innovation Lab Portfolio is an exclusive opportunity for growth-stage startups in our Innovation Lab communities. As a part of the portfolio, your company will be highlighted in various ways throughout the year and prioritized for corporate and investor connection opportunities.
Eligibility:
- You must be in the startup stage as defined by 1871.
- Your solution must align with the industry or technology focus of the lab.
- Submit the growth stage information form.
How 1871 Defines a Growth-Stage Startup:
If a startup meets 3 out of 6 of the following criteria they are considered a Growth Stage Company and eligible for a Lab Portfolio:
- 2-5 strong leaders
- 10-50 person team and growing
- Strong marketing definition
- Product Market fit
- Compelling Traction
- $10-$100M Valuation
Portfolio Member Benefits:
Being in the portfolio provides opportunities to be showcased throughout the year to investors, corporates, and the larger industry-specific innovation ecosystem. Being in the portfolio makes you eligible for these benefits, but does not guarantee that you get to participate in all of them. Here is a look at the showcase opportunities available to our Lab Portfolio Startups:
- Inclusion of your profile in the industry portfolio, where your tear sheet is shared with corporates and investors interested in 1871 startups
- Guaranteed demo table at the startup expo during that specific industry summit
- Exclusive access to industry-dedicated mentors and experts in residents
- Showcase Opportunities Include:
- Featured in Investor showcases
- Featured in Lightning Talks (these are events where our startups pitch to a curated audience of corporate partners)
- Selected for Deal Flows for corporate partners
- Curated introductions to corporate members (based on mutual interest)
- Pitch in Summit Showcase
Tech for Good Innovation Summit
Climate Tech, Food Tech, Health Tech
Lab timeline
Programming
Week 1
8.12.24 - 8.16.24 [Virtual]
Week 2
9.09.24 - 9.13.24 [In-person]
Week 3
10.07.24 - 10.11.24 [Virtual]
Week 4
11.04.24 - 11.08.24 [In-person]
Capstone event w/ public showcase
11.07.24
Lab partners
Ecosystem partners
Supported by
General partners
Late stage lab partners
Late stage lab partners
Join the Lab!
Choose your business segment.